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From standardized tests to grad school...making your dreams possible!Sun, 17 Sep 2017 12:35:12 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.19Group PMP coaching by Dan Ryanhttp://www.studypal.co/blog/pmp-classes-by-dan-ryan/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/pmp-classes-by-dan-ryan/#commentsThu, 03 Aug 2017 12:00:26 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=444Sign up today at - PMP WEBINAR REGISTRATION LINK Being a Project Management Professional is essentially a hard nut to crack; not to mention the gruesome preparations you have to go through. So, what exactly pushes you to be forefront on the race? Is it HARDWORK? Is it DEDICATION? Is it some MAGIC TRICK? Is it some TRADE SECRET? Studypal.co brings to you a complete PMP 5 week course by STUDYGURU DAN RYAN – AN answer to all your questions! An exclusive offer at just Just $59 ($79 after Sept 9) Start Date/Time: Class 1 EMEA/APAC: Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 9AM EST Class 2 AMERICAS: Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 8PM EST What do […]

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/pmp-classes-by-dan-ryan/feed/0Barron’s LSAT and MCAT Author Jay Cutts Tips-July Sessionhttp://www.studypal.co/blog/mcat-lsat-and-mcat-author-jay-cutts-tips-july-session/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/mcat-lsat-and-mcat-author-jay-cutts-tips-july-session/#commentsFri, 21 Jul 2017 19:35:44 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=732Your Expert Guide to Self-Preparation For LSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and PCAT By Jay Cutts Lead Author, Barron’s LSAT and MCAT Prep Materials Happy July! REMEMBER: The 3 Keys to Self-Prep Success: Well-planned study schedule High quality prep materials Peer support If you’re still not doing well enough, look for a qualified tutor THIS MONTH: Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you. MCAT/PCAT: You should be devoting as much time as possible to your prep now and for the rest of the summer. By mid-July you should take a mock test to see how you’re scoring. If you haven’t made […]

THIS MONTH:Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you.

MCAT/PCAT: You should be devoting as much time as possible to your prep now and for the rest of the summer. By mid-July you should take a mock test to see how you’re scoring. If you haven’t made enough progress, it may be time to look for a qualified tutor to coach you. Most people do learn best with at least a little bit of coaching. It is important that a tutor be experienced and qualified. If possible, find someone with multiple years of experience. Do work with the Barron’s MCAT book. It thoroughly reviews all of the strategy for timing, testing, and problem solving.

Sign up to take your test as late in the season as possible to give yourself maximum study time. I suggest late August or the September tests.

LSAT: You will probably need to take the LSAT no later than December. Take a mock test mid-month. If you’re not getting close to a winning score, consider the STEPS to the LSAT program. For a minimal cost it will boost your self-prep with a better study structure, advanced instruction, and connection with other STEPS students.

GRE/GMAT: You may need to take your test as early as October, though some deadlines may allow you to take the test as late as next February or March. By mid-month take a mock test. If you are not scoring where you need, look for a qualified tutor. See my notes about tutors above under MCAT/PCAT.

PREP HINTS:

This month we’re talking about reading comp (RC) which is on all the tests. If you didn’t see my February blog on setting up the RC passage, check that out now.

Once you’ve learned to identify the heart of a passage (the dichotomy, or conflict between two elements) and can analyze the structure of the passage, your next task is to learn tools for working the questions.

When you begin a question, take enough time to orient yourself to it. Is it a detail question or a Big Picture question? Do you understand what the question is asking? Many wrong answers are due to having misunderstood the question stem.

On harder questions most test takers find that they are down to two possible answers and then can’t figure out which one is right. Often, even when you look up the answer, it’s still not clear why their answer is better than yours. Remember that it’s never that an answer is just more elegant. One of those answer choices has a fatal flaw.

To dig deeper you can use a tool that I call the Adversarial Approach. Usually you like one answer choice better than the other, so you already have a bias, which prevents you from thinking clearly. Take the answer that you like and attack it. Try hard to find something wrong with it. You might see something you didn’t see before.

Then take the answer you didn’t like and try to prove that it’s correct. Again, you might see something you didn’t see before. This gives you a much better chance of getting to the right answer and finding the fatal flaw.

The Adversarial Approach can also be used on almost any other type of question in any of the tests.

Next month we’ll talk Logical Reasoning, which is on the LSAT and the GMAT (as Critical Reasoning)

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/mcat-lsat-and-mcat-author-jay-cutts-tips-july-session/feed/04 ways in which being Jack of all trades can help you ace your tests…http://www.studypal.co/blog/4-ways-in-which-being-jack-of-all-trades-can-help-you-ace-your-tests/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/4-ways-in-which-being-jack-of-all-trades-can-help-you-ace-your-tests/#commentsSat, 29 Apr 2017 13:22:05 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=1086Test prep can really be tricky and if you have a job or family to juggle alongside, it becomes all more gruesome for you. Developing multitasking skills is crucial in such cases and learning to do things your way can go a long way in helping you with the test prep. Studypal.co brings to you 4 reasons why being Jack of All Trades can actually help you ace your tests: 1. Time Management: Being good at things help you save time, especially all those precious minutes which you waste pestering other people with your work. Running tap at home and waiting on the plumber? Learn to do the little fixes […]

]]>Test prep can really be tricky and if you have a job or family to juggle alongside, it becomes all more gruesome for you. Developing multitasking skills is crucial in such cases and learning to do things your way can go a long way in helping you with the test prep. Studypal.co brings to you 4 reasons why being Jack of All Trades can actually help you ace your tests:

1. Time Management: Being good at things help you save time, especially all those precious minutes which you waste pestering other people with your work. Running tap at home and waiting on the plumber? Learn to do the little fixes yourself to save the time.

2. Flexibility: Having knowledge and know-how of things makes it easier for you to develop flexibility. You can find substitutes for missing stuff easily and keep the balance maintained with your family pretty much easily.

3. Variety: From what you cook to how you do your work, variety is the spice of life. Bosses get bored with the same old presentation templates and kids don’t really like the same menu on breakfast daily. Being a multi-tasker could come to your rescue at these points when you decide to reach out and add something new to your life daily.

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/4-ways-in-which-being-jack-of-all-trades-can-help-you-ace-your-tests/feed/0The warning sizes of fatigue-3 things to consider to keep yourself healthy while test prep…http://www.studypal.co/blog/the-warning-sizes-of-fatigue-3-things-to-consider-to-keep-yourself-healthy-while-test-prep/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/the-warning-sizes-of-fatigue-3-things-to-consider-to-keep-yourself-healthy-while-test-prep/#commentsSat, 29 Apr 2017 13:19:37 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=1079Taking some tests is really a test of your health, patience and confidence and with exams like FRM, PMP or the Actuaries on your target list, it is crucial to keep the body healthy for the brain to function properly. Regular exercises, right eating habits and a healthy sleep per day is pivotal to maintaining good health and most of the time; one forgets to keep the track of health as the test date approaches. Studypal.co brings to you the list of 3 signs of failing health that you must not ignore: Dark Circles: It is so common that we pretend not to have them. But if you are […]

]]>Taking some tests is really a test of your health, patience and confidence and with exams like FRM, PMP or the Actuaries on your target list, it is crucial to keep the body healthy for the brain to function properly. Regular exercises, right eating habits and a healthy sleep per day is pivotal to maintaining good health and most of the time; one forgets to keep the track of health as the test date approaches. Studypal.co brings to you the list of 3 signs of failing health that you must not ignore:

Dark Circles: It is so common that we pretend not to have them. But if you are into test prep and all of a sudden have started having your puffiness of eyes pointed out; you might be in trouble. Though lack of sleep is the major trigger, dark circles also indicate an unhealthy diet and high stress levels.

Body ache or back ache: This might indicate fatigue from excess studying also prolonged sitting at a place in a wrong posture. Study prep can get hectic for some and as many study from computers online, it is crucial to make sure that your sitting posture is correct and you don’t tire your eyes out.

Persisting headaches: The thing about headaches is that they can force you to quit everything you are doing and give up. Headaches can be caused be over fatigued eyes or stress and if regular headaches are bothering you, it could be a ticking sign of failing health and you must immediately pay attention to it.

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/the-warning-sizes-of-fatigue-3-things-to-consider-to-keep-yourself-healthy-while-test-prep/feed/0Coffee shop Diaries-what makes cafes the best group study spots?http://www.studypal.co/blog/988/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/988/#commentsTue, 06 Dec 2016 14:15:45 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=988Studying in a coffee shop is a trend that dates back to several decades and even today, getting together with your study partner or group to discuss your progress and do some studying is definitely something that is quite popular. Sipping on that perfect cup of coffee to get your brain cells working and the comfortable and warm atmosphere is definitely welcoming, especially when one is looking forward to a study session. Today, Studypal.co brings to you 3 reasons which make coffee shops the ideal place to settle down for a group study session: You can get loud: The major disadvantage of studying in a group is that too many […]

Studying in a coffee shop is a trend that dates back to several decades and even today, getting together with your study partner or group to discuss your progress and do some studying is definitely something that is quite popular. Sipping on that perfect cup of coffee to get your brain cells working and the comfortable and warm atmosphere is definitely welcoming, especially when one is looking forward to a study session. Today, Studypal.co brings to you 3 reasons which make coffee shops the ideal place to settle down for a group study session:

You can get loud: The major disadvantage of studying in a group is that too many people trying to speak at one time might make you sound loud and as these are social meeting places, it is okay if you become a little loud.

2. Plenty of options to choose from: Studying for long hours at stretch can be quite testing and sitting at a coffee shop gives one unhinged access to various snacking options. Besides, there is always the good old coffee to push your energy levels up.

3. The unlimited Wi-Fi: Be it PMP, CFP or FRM you are preparing for, internet is an indispensible resource you can count on for reference. Most coffee shops provide fee internet for users and it is actually of great help especially for streaming tutorial videos and study materials as needed.

Liked the tips? Log on to www.studypal.co/blog for more!If you are determined to excel; NOTHING could possibly stop you from acing your tests in the very first attempt. Stay calm and keep studying!
For preparation related tips from our StudyGurus or to find a Study partner for yourself ( any test like JEE, GMAT, SAT,PMP and others) ; Sign Up at www.studypal.co today and explore a world of undiscovered friends and guides, just near you!

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/988/feed/0Chocolate for test prep: 3 benefits of including it in your diethttp://www.studypal.co/blog/983/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/983/#commentsTue, 06 Dec 2016 13:59:27 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=983Who doesn’t love biting into a dark piece of heavenly sweetness once in a while? Chocolates are an indulgence for sure but to be honest, they are of a great benefit too. Loaded with antioxidants, a bite of chocolate on a regular basis can be of immense health benefits. Studypal.co brings to you 3 benefits of including chocolate in your diet (apart from the obvious fact that we all love it): Chocolates help with mathematics: The British psychologists have proved in a study that Flavanols, a class of Flavonoids present in chocolates actually help people with the mental mathematics. So, technically speaking, binging on chocolate when revising for exams may […]

Who doesn’t love biting into a dark piece of heavenly sweetness once in a while? Chocolates are an indulgence for sure but to be honest, they are of a great benefit too. Loaded with antioxidants, a bite of chocolate on a regular basis can be of immense health benefits. Studypal.co brings to you 3 benefits of including chocolate in your diet (apart from the obvious fact that we all love it):

Chocolates help with mathematics: The British psychologists have proved in a study that Flavanols, a class of Flavonoids present in chocolates actually help people with the mental mathematics. So, technically speaking, binging on chocolate when revising for exams may give you a real heads up while prepping for your tests.

They are great for the brain: Stress tends to damage the brain cells and dark chocolate actually shields the brain cells from extensive damage caused due to hypertension. Chocolate also contains enzymes which boost memory cells in the brain.

They are great for boosting up energy: A bite of a chocolate can do everything a cup of coffee does for your brain and a lot more. Laced with caffeine and sugar, a chocolate can help you with the little caffeine rush to boost your energy levels.

Liked the tips? Log on to www.studypal.co/blog for more!If you are determined to excel; NOTHING could possibly stop you from acing your tests in the very first attempt. Stay calm and keep studying!
For preparation related tips from our StudyGurus or to find a Study partner for yourself ( any test like JEE, GMAT, SAT,PMP and others) ; Sign Up at www.studypal.co today and explore a world of undiscovered friends and guides, just near you!

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/983/feed/0TIPS to Grace the IELTShttp://www.studypal.co/blog/tips-to-grace-the-ielts/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/tips-to-grace-the-ielts/#commentsWed, 16 Nov 2016 13:36:07 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=933IELTS is probably the most convoluted test you will take in your life; given the hugely varying test patterns and questions you have to attempt. To be prepared at your very best is the only key to a top score. Though there is nothing like “FAILING IELTS”; it isn’t very easy to get the required score either. So, we bring to you a guide of 5 tips to obtain a great IELTS score and help you realize the dream of studying at an English speaking University: 1. Understand what IELTS is about It is very important to understand the format of IELTS. It is a test designed to assess your […]

]]>IELTS is probably the most convoluted test you will take in your life; given the hugely varying test patterns and questions you have to attempt. To be prepared at your very best is the only key to a top score. Though there is nothing like “FAILING IELTS”; it isn’t very easy to get the required score either. So, we bring to you a guide of 5 tips to obtain a great IELTS score and help you realize the dream of studying at an English speaking University:

1. Understand what IELTS is about
It is very important to understand the format of IELTS. It is a test designed to assess your reading, writing and spoken abilities and it is always a great idea to keep a target score in mind when you appear for the test. It will help you figure out how to proceed with your preparation.

2. Get yourself some help

NEVER prepare for IELTS alone. Getting textbook is the least you can do, and it is advisable to get a tutor or a friend for help. Prepare for the test with a group.

(Need help with a study partner/ study guru? Sign up at www.studypal.co today!)

3. Practice with your own methods

Movie buff? Watch English language movies with subtitles to get a track of how the language is supposed to be spoken. Your listening and speaking skills are sure to improve by tons! You can try other little tricks like speaking to your future self in English, record them and figure out the mistakes later. There is always a scope for a new method and you might as well develop something entirely new all by yourself!

4. Read , Read and Read

From developing a good vocabulary to learning the nuances of English, there is nothing like reading. Begin with children’s fairy tales if you are completely new to the language, but there is no escape from the reading. If you want to ace IELTS, you have to have a reading habit because that goes a long way during your test.

So what are you waiting for? Go and grab yourself a book and start practicing.IELTS is all about how well you understand English, and that isn’t going to be a cakewalk until you really work hard for it.

For preparation related tips from our StudyGurus or to find a Study partner for yourself ( any test like JEE, GMAT, SAT,PMP and others) ; SignUp at www.studypal.co today and explore a world of undiscovered friends and guides, just near you!

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/tips-to-grace-the-ielts/feed/0Barron’s LSAT & MCAT Author J Cutts Tips-November Sessionhttp://www.studypal.co/blog/928/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/928/#commentsTue, 08 Nov 2016 18:08:13 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=928Your Expert Guide to Self-Preparation For LSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and PCAT By Jay Cutts Lead Author, Barron’s LSAT and MCAT Prep Materials Happy November! REMEMBER: The 3 Keys to Self-Prep Success: A well-planned study schedule High quality prep materials Peer support If you’re still not doing well enough, look for a qualified tutor! THIS MONTH: Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you. MCAT: Hopefully you took your test already. If not, you’ll need to wait another year to apply. This month you need to complete all of your other application materials. PCAT: Some schools will accept the January exam. If you haven’t scored your best, […]

MCAT: Hopefully you took your test already. If not, you’ll need to wait another year to apply. This month you need to complete all of your other application materials.

PCAT: Some schools will accept the January exam. If you haven’t scored your best, keep studying!

LSAT: Most schools require an official score no later than the December test. However, it’s to your advantage to also retake the test in February and submit this as a supplemental score. You’re probably already sick of studying but a few more months of prep will make a significant difference. If you feel like you’re not improving, try something different. See our hints on test prep options.

GRE/GMAT: Depending on where you’re applying, your deadlines could be early December to March. If you have to take the test in November or December, it will be to your advantage to retake the test in late January or early February. Let the school know you plan to do this.

PREP HINTS:

Let’s talk more about math. It’s on the GRE, GMAT, and PCAT. It’s not on the LSAT or MCAT.

Last month we talked about developing intuitive tools for organizing math information and math relationships. It’s helpful to understand that the exams test the same patterns of math over and over. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of patterns that they can test. But the better news is that you can learn most of the main ones by carefully studying the problems from previous tests published by the testing company. The GRE and GMAT have a lot of old practice material available. The PCAT is stingy with its old exams. However, this probably means that they don’t vary the test a lot.

Notice that we’re talking about tests from the test makers themselves. Simulated practice questions from commercial prep books very often do not accurately capture the patterns of the questions. Avoid practicing with simulated material.

The GRE and GMAT have some unusual formats for math questions. The GMAT has an entire section of Data Sufficiency, in which you have to determine whether there is enough information to get to an answer. Be sure you understand the instructions. Many errors on this section are just from getting confused on the directions. The GRE has a Quantitative Comparison question type. It’s not as tricky as the GMAT questions but you still need to study the directions carefully.

Here’s another hint. If you find yourself using algebra, don’t. Algebra is very abstract. It’s usually the least accurate way to solve a problem. Go back to organizing the information so clearly that you can see how to get to the solution.

And a final math hint. Work each problem untimed, taking up to 20 or 30 minutes on it if necessary. You’re trying to learn new ways to work with the math info. Try to solve the problem in several different ways. This will help you develop your math intuitions.

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/928/feed/03 tips to Balance Actuary Exam Prep with a full time jobhttp://www.studypal.co/blog/3-tips-to-balance-actuary-exam-prep-with-a-full-time-job/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/3-tips-to-balance-actuary-exam-prep-with-a-full-time-job/#commentsTue, 18 Oct 2016 05:23:29 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=896There is no shortcut to success in the exam process for those prepping for Actuary Exams. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and motivation to get through the many hours of independent study that are required to prepare for each exam. While everyone studies differently, the typical candidate studies about 100 hours for every hour of the exam. And with a full time job at hand, it needs a lot of things to fully master the concepts tested on that exam. So today, Studypal.co brings to you a list of 3 tips to Balance Actuary Exam Prep with a full time job; in order to help you juggle […]

]]>There is no shortcut to success in the exam process for those prepping for Actuary Exams. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and motivation to get through the many hours of independent study that are required to prepare for each exam. While everyone studies differently, the typical candidate studies about 100 hours for every hour of the exam. And with a full time job at hand, it needs a lot of things to fully master the concepts tested on that exam. So today, Studypal.co brings to you a list of 3 tips to Balance Actuary Exam Prep with a full time job; in order to help you juggle the best of both worlds:

Use your time in the commute:

All of us spend extensive hours commuting and guess what? There is something better than plugging in your earphones and staring blankly at nothing! You can always attempt to flip through the study materials or use some preparatory application on your phone to make best of the commute time to do some learning.

Learn to give social gatherings a miss:

A wild Saturday night equals to a hung over Sunday morning and you will end up wasting precious hours. Instead, opt for a homely gathering with friends or Netflix and chill alone with your glass of wine to unwind. It’s easier on your body and you can always settle down to study the next morning.

Reduce the time on social media:

So you have a job to mind and a test to prep for. Trust us, you cannot afford to waste those precious hours swiping through Tinder profiles in your area and reading generic articles on what celebrities are up to. Focus on your priorities and use the time you spend online judiciously to learn something productive.

]]>http://www.studypal.co/blog/3-tips-to-balance-actuary-exam-prep-with-a-full-time-job/feed/0Barron’s LSAT & MCAT Author J Cutts Tips-September Sessionhttp://www.studypal.co/blog/852/
http://www.studypal.co/blog/852/#commentsSat, 24 Sep 2016 16:20:31 +0000http://www.studypal.co/blog/?p=852Your Expert Guide to Self-Preparation For LSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and PCAT By Jay Cutts Lead Author, Barron’s LSAT and MCAT Prep Materials Happy September! REMEMBER: The 3 Keys to Self-Prep Success: A well-planned study schedule High quality prep materials Peer support If you’re still not doing well enough, look for a qualified tutor! THIS MONTH: Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you MCAT: You are probably done with the MCAT or will be soon. If you haven’t taken the test yet, spend the remaining time focusing on timing strategy and problem-solving strategy. PCAT: Some schools will accept the January PCAT. If you must take […]

REMEMBER: The 3 Keys to Self-Prep Success:

THIS MONTH: Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you

MCAT: You are probably done with the MCAT or will be soon. If you haven’t taken the test yet, spend the remaining time focusing on timing strategy and problem-solving strategy.

PCAT: Some schools will accept the January PCAT. If you must take the September test, focus on timing and math strategy.

LSAT:Unless you’re getting super high scores, plan to take the LSAT in December. If you’re not getting close to a winning score, consider the STEPS to the LSAT program. For a minimal cost it will boost your self-prep with a better study structure, advanced instruction, and connection with other STEPS students. If STEPS is still not enough, consider an experienced coach.

Some people think they should take the October test either because they think later tests will put them at a disadvantage for admissions or because they want to see how they’re doing, so they can decide whether to retake. In my experience you are not at any disadvantage by taking the test in December. It’s better to take the test later and get a better score than to submit an earlier score that is lower.

Second, you can find out how your scoring by doing your own mock test. It’s not necessary to take the test officially to evaluate your score. One problem with taking the test in October is that during the weeks you’re waiting for your score, it can be really hard to keep yourself studying.

GRE/GMAT: You may need to take your test as early as October, though some deadlines may allow you to take the test as late as next February or March. By mid-month take a mock test. If you are not scoring where you need, look for a qualified tutor. A tutor who understands intuitive math strategies can be extremely helpful even if you only work together a few hours.

PREP HINTS:

This month we’re talking about Analytical Reasoning (AR), a type of section on the LSAT.

AR gives most LSAT takers headaches. (I’m assuming you’ve worked on AR problems already.) The problem with AR is that if you don’t get the answer quickly and intuitively, you probably don’t have good tools for getting to the answer analytically. Most people, when stuck on a question, go around in circles.

The key to AR is to develop an extremely systematic approach for logical problem solving. That’s not easy to do. It took me 25 years to perfect my system and boil it down to an extremely simple and easy to use tool. When you work on a tough problem, try to figure out a fool-proof way to organize the information so that you can’t help but get to the answer. At first your method will probably be too time consuming but keeping working at it.

The other challenge for AR is to organize the setup accurately and to diagram it in a way that best helps you solve the problems.

I have to say that I feel that I’ve captured all of the strategy for the LSAT in the Barron’s book. It doesn’t cost too much and it’s extremely thorough. For a little extra you can upgrade to the STEPS to the LSAT program, which adds in a comprehensive study plan, additional advanced instruction, and peer support.